The Network Meeting of South Asia National Ozone Officers, organised by UNEP OzonAction’s Compliance Assistance Programme (CAP), dedicated a key session to policies and industry practices in the refrigeration and air conditioning sector. On the final day of the event, the focus turned to the certification of RAC technicians, an issue recognised as crucial for ensuring energy efficiency, safety, and environmental protection in line with the Montreal Protocol and the Kigali Amendment.
The session was led by Marco Buoni, Director of Centro Studi Galileo (CSG) and international delegate for AREA, who presented the European model for technician certification. Buoni outlined the long-standing experience of the EU with F-gas certification, covering personal certification, certification for companies and training centres, and the importance of technician registries. He underlined how these measures, in place since 2006, have contributed to reducing leaks, improving servicing practices, and enabling the safe introduction of low-GWP alternatives such as hydrocarbons, CO₂, and ammonia. His presentation also highlighted the EU’s recent updates under the F-gas Regulation 2024/573, which now makes training and certification mandatory not only for fluorinated refrigerants but also for natural alternatives.
Following the technical presentation, Buoni moderated a roundtable discussion with national ozone officers from Sri Lanka and Bhutan, who shared their country experiences in advancing Good Servicing Practices (GSP) and certification programmes. The exchange of views underlined both the progress already achieved and the challenges still faced by South Asian countries, including the need to raise awareness among technicians, simplify administrative processes, and secure resources for training centres and equipment. This session confirmed the central role of training and certification in building a skilled RAC workforce, capable of managing the transition to sustainable technologies and supporting compliance with international obligations. Through the exchange of best practices and international cooperation, participants reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening technician certification schemes as a cornerstone of the region’s strategy to phase down high-GWP refrigerants and enhance climate resilience.